From early to late November the majority of the does should be in estrus, and the bucks should be cruising, chasing and breeding does, which causes scraping and rubbing to tail off.

By early November scraping by whitetail bucks may have already peaked. From early to late November the majority of the does should be in estrus, and the bucks should be cruising, chasing and breeding does, which causes scraping and rubbing to tail off. But, the bucks may still be scraping and checking scrapes near nighttime food sources, and in travel...

Rattling is most effective in areas with high buck to doe ratios. It is also effective in areas with high numbers of dominant bucks; in areas with limited habitat, such as urban areas; in the marginal habitat of prairie river bottoms; and on property managed for trophy quality.

Bucks respond to rattling out of curiosity and dominance; they want to find out which bucks are fighting, and if there is an estrus doe with them. Rattle near areas bucks regularly use; buck feeding/sparring areas, buck bedrooms, doe feeding and staging areas...

All of the deer are bulking up for the rut and winter; feeding on alfalfa, clover, green forbes, ripening soybeans and corn in some areas, and mast (acorns, beechnuts). Put out mineral licks and deer attractants in areas where you want deer to come to during the hunting season. Early in the month the bucks should be shedding velvet, and creating rubs and scrapes near late summer nighttime food sources. They may be still traveling together, and may begin sparring at this time.

Reading whitetail deer trails helps you determine which areas the deer are using and when they are using them. Determining when the deer use particular areas is the key to knowing where to setup during the hunting season.

From early to late November the majority of the does should be in estrus, and the bucks should be cruising, chasing and breeding does, which causes scraping and rubbing to tail off.

By early November scraping by whitetail bucks may have already peaked. From early to late November the majority of the does should be in estrus, and the bucks should be cruising, chasing and breeding does, which causes scraping and rubbing to tail off. But, the bucks may still be scraping and checking scrapes near nighttime food sources, and in travel...

Rattling is most effective in areas with high buck to doe ratios. It is also effective in areas with high numbers of dominant bucks; in areas with limited habitat, such as urban areas; in the marginal habitat of prairie river bottoms; and on property managed for trophy quality.

Bucks respond to rattling out of curiosity and dominance; they want to find out which bucks are fighting, and if there is an estrus doe with them. Rattle near areas bucks regularly use; buck feeding/sparring areas, buck bedrooms, doe feeding and staging areas...

All of the deer are bulking up for the rut and winter; feeding on alfalfa, clover, green forbes, ripening soybeans and corn in some areas, and mast (acorns, beechnuts). Put out mineral licks and deer attractants in areas where you want deer to come to during the hunting season. Early in the month the bucks should be shedding velvet, and creating rubs and scrapes near late summer nighttime food sources. They may be still traveling together, and may begin sparring at this time.

Reading whitetail deer trails helps you determine which areas the deer are using and when they are using them. Determining when the deer use particular areas is the key to knowing where to setup during the hunting season.

In a comprehensive three year study by researchers from the University of Georgia and Texas A&M-Kingsville, deer responded in 65 percent of 171 rattling sessions. In 73 percent of the responses bucks came to loud, long rattling. Loud, long rattling worked best in the pre-rut; loud, short rattling worked best during the peak rut; long quiet rattling worked best in post rut, when slightly more mature (3.5+ year old) bucks responded.

Beating around the bush If hunting on the ground, when rattling, try to hit and rake your antlers against bushes and tree limbs and you can break tree limbs. You can use the base of your antler to simulate stomping and pawing the ground. This will give off a natural sound of two deer fighting. Sent In By: Paul HarrisLocation: Blackshear, GA

Set up your own shed antler collection site. Go to your favorite deer feeding area and drive heavy wooden stakes into the ground in the form of a "V". Cover the wooden stakes with chicken wire. Pour corn or other deer feed in the corner of the "V". Chances are a shedding bucks antlers will get tangled in the chicken wire and stay there for you to collect.

Don't rattle too much Deer only push each other around for short periods of time, so don't rattle too long or you could spook the deer. When a deer approaches, begin tapping the antlers lighter almost teasing the deer. Sent In By: Steven AngleLocation: Mercersburg, PA

Have a set of deer antlers and you want to try antler ratting? First, remove the antlers from the scull or scull cap. Cut off the brow tines, if it has them. Then drill a small hole near the base of the antlers. Take a small rope, run it through the holes and tie at both ends to make a neck loop. If you don't want to drill holes, leave the flare at the base of the antlers and use a slip type note around the antler bases. Be sure to sand any sharp points or edges. Before your go into the field, spray your antlers and rope with a scent...

Late season rattling After the post rut is over and January sets in deer, especially bucks begin to become less territorial. Trying to rattle is out of the question right? I think not. Next time your stumped in your late hunting season, get one of your buddies to go out with you and place him or her 30 to 40 yards down wind of you. Once you are both in...